Home for Christmas guest blog from Philippa Forrester

Energy advocate Philippa Forrester is the window judge for our Home for Christmas photo competition, where you can win a box full of Christmas goodies including Caliterra Chardonnay Sauvignon, Caliterra Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon, Festival Christmas pudding with cider and sherry in a basin, Wensleydale with cranberries and much much more. She will be picking the winner for this category, but has taken time out of looking at your beautiful pictures to write us this guest blog.

“Christmas is such a special time in my household. The build up and decorating the house is a major part of the fun for me. The windows of a house are of course the eyes into the home and are the first impression visitors receive, which all adds to the anticipation of the welcome that awaits them indoors.

I work to two simple mantras; keep it as natural as possible – and it has to be simple to assemble.

Most of us have one or two main windows that are the focal points and these receive special care and attention. This year I have filled a very large glass vase with Holly, evergreen boughs of fir, red glass baubles and pin prick white lights. Once lit the lights bring the vase to life and sitting on the windowsill it can look very effective. For the other window I have a set of boughs and twigs that I keep from year to year that I have partly sprayed gold and I add berries and holly in amongst the branches. Again I add pinprick white lights to add effect.

Don’t save bunting for the summer, design Christmas bunting using Christmas themed fabric found in hobby crafting shops – this can be hung within the window frames and adds a wonderful rustic homemade feel .

HAPPY CHRISTMAS IN YOUR HOME.”

There is still time to enter our Home for Christmas competition so get the camera out and email your Christmas window, conservatory or garden to [email protected]